Why Nobushi Works for Beginners But Gets Passed Over by Connoisseurs (Review)

Warriors as an inspiration. That's how the Kiyokawa distillery opened its doors and the pursuit of perfection is the lifeblood with which the Japanese Nobushi whisky was born. The whisky bears the name of elite warriors who protected the distant regions of feudal Japan against warlords and their samurai.

Loosely translated, the Nobushi were the 'spirits of honour' who passed their wisdom from generation to generation, preserving traditions and honour. The story behind Nobushi is one to savour. It's brought to life by a blend of whiskies from the Japanese Miyagi, Nagano and Hokkaido prefectures, complemented by water from the Kiyokawa mountains and a maturing period of 4 years in American oak barrels.

The story behind the name of the Japanese blend is intriguing. The packaging adds an additional layer of allure, as it invites you to place multiple boxes side by side. The illustration of a Japanese warrior continues along the sides and can only be fully appreciated when you set three boxes next to each other.

Unfortunately, the magic somewhat subsides when you remove the bottle from the box. It's quite simplistic with a metal cap. The label reiterates the gold letters and the image but other than that there's not much to marvel at. No exceptional design and no specially shaped label, just a simple bottle of drink. On to the whisky!

The amber-colored Nobushi whisky initially smells sweet and caramel-like, but upon closer inspection, you catch a slight whiff of spices. The golden drink doesn't offer much depth in this regard and this continues in the taste. On the palate, Nobushi behaves like the good kid who dutifully completes his school tasks every day, but never seeks excitement or dares to break the rules.

Your taste buds are thus greeted with a fruity flavor dominated by vanilla and orange. And that's it. The Japanese spirit lacks any distinct burn or a note that stands out when you spend a bit more time tasting.

The sweetness eventually gives way to a somewhat spicy finish. This lingers for a while, but never becomes overwhelming (or annoying). There's no harmony or balance like the one Hibiki Japanese Harmony offers, but then again, the price reflects this.

The flavor, aroma and finish Nobushi offers don't result in a complex palette. For whisky veterans, this drink might not sound particularly exciting, but for beginners, it's definitely worth considering.

Nobushi is a whisky that behaves politely both on the nose and on the palate. In itself, this isn't a bad thing, and for a beginner, this Japanese whisky is more than decent.

But if you're looking for something special, you're in the wrong place. Nobushi is sweet on all accounts and offers little depth or a finely tuned balance, but again, the price reflects this.

+ Fairly priced blend
+ Nicely designed packaging
+ Accessible flavor for whisky beginners
- Lacks depth